In this all new adventure, you’ll encounter new and familiar Pokémon as you catch, battle, and trade Pokémon while exploring new areas and uncovering an all-new story.

Unsheathe your sword and take up your shield!

The Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield games take place in the Galar region. Galar is an expansive region with diverse environments— an idyllic countryside, contemporary cities, thick forest, and craggy, snow-covered mountains. The people and the Pokémon who live there work together closely to develop the industries in the region. Fans will have the opportunity to visit various Gyms in the Galar region in their quest to become Champion. They will not be alone, since the newly discovered Pokémon they choose to be their first partner will be by their side.

The adventure begins in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield when players choose one of three new Pokémon—Grookey, Scorbunny, or Sobble. Grookey, a Grass-type Chimp Pokémon, is mischievous and full of boundless curiosity. Bursting with energy, Scorbunny, a Fire-type Rabbit Pokémon, is always running about. The stealthy Sobble, a Water-type Water Lizard Pokémon, shoots out attacks as it hides itself in water.

The Pokémon Camp feature is where Trainers and their Pokémon can spend quality time together. New Pokémon of the Galar region, information about character customization, and details regarding the Surprise Trade feature were also revealed.

To commemorate the upcoming release of these titles, The Pokémon Company International also announced the Pokémon TCG: Galar Collection, a preview of the upcoming Sword & Shield expansion that offers new promo cards featuring Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble. The Galar Collection will also arrive on November 15.

Newly Discovered Pokémon of Galar

Cramorant

• Category: Gulp Pokémon 
• Type: Flying/Water
• Height: 2’7”
• Weight: 39.7 lbs.
• Ability: Gulp Missile

When it comes to food, Cramorant will try to swallow anything it can fit in its mouth. Sometimes it will swallow things that aren’t its intended prey, spitting them out once it realizes its mistake. A Cramorant can be forgetful, but it will never forget a Trainer it grows to trust. However, even Trainers will face fierce attacks from their Cramorant if they try to steal its food. Cramorant’s Ability, Gulp Missile, is a new Ability that can be triggered during battles. After Cramorant uses Surf or Dive, it will return with a catch in its mouth. If it takes damage while in this state, Cramorant will retaliate by spitting out its catch at that opponent. 

Polteageist

• Category: Black Tea Pokémon 
• Type: Ghost
• Height: 8”
• Weight: .9 lbs.
• Ability: Weak Armor

Polteageist’s body is made from black tea, and it’s said to have a very distinct aroma and flavor. It will only allow a Trainer it trusts to sample its tea, although drinking too much can lead to indigestion. Many Polteageist make their homes inside hotels and restaurants where they disguise themselves and hide among the tableware. Because they can pour their power into leftover tea and create even more of their kind, they’re often treated as pests.

Alcremie

Alcremie is known to be able to create whipped cream from its hands. There are several variations of color and flavor for this whipped cream, as well as the decorations on its body. 

Pokémon Camp

Trainers can enjoy a moment of relaxation and fun with the Pokémon in their party through Pokémon Camp. When Trainers watch their Pokémon as they have fun camping and playing together, they might discover a new side to them that they don’t normally get to see. Trainers can get to know their Pokémon better by playing with them using a Poké Toy or a variety of bouncing balls. 

In Pokémon Camp, Trainers will be able to cook curry, a popular dish in the Galar region. Trainers can create a variety of curries, depending on what Berries and other ingredients they choose to use. Players will need to fan the flames until they’re strong enough to cook the curry and then stir the pot just right to make the best batch.  Once the curry is done cooking, both Trainer and Pokémon can enjoy it together. There are many types of curries, so Trainers can try to cook them all and complete their Curry Dex. 

Pokémon Camp is also a way for Trainers to connect with other players in the Wild Area. Trainers can join the camp of another player or have other players visit their camp until a total of four players are gathered. Together they can interact with Pokémon or even make curry. If a player comes across a tent while using local communication or when connected to the internet, it’s a sign that another player has set up their Pokémon Camp there. A Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to visit other players’ Pokémon Camps using an internet connection. A membership is not required to play with other players using local communication features.

Explore Galar in Style

As Trainers travel through the Galar region, they will come across boutiques and hair salons. By visiting them, they can buy new clothes or change their hairstyle. Trainers will be able to choose from many different clothing items, hairstyles, and even makeup options as they explore Galar in style. 

Create a League Card

Pokémon Trainers in the Galar region make League Cards for themselves. These cards provide detailed information about the Trainer and are traded and given out across the region. Players can use the Card Maker function of Rotomi to customize their own cards. The Card Maker will enable players to edit the background, frame, and much more on their own unique League Cards. League Cards received from other Trainers can be reviewed in a player’s album. 

Connect with Players Using Surprise Trades

In Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, Trainers can use the Y-Comm to do things like engage in Link Battles or Trade Pokémon. Another feature available on the Y-Comm menu is Surprise Trade. The player just needs to select a Pokémon from their Boxes that they’re willing to trade, and a trading partner will automatically be found as they continue their adventure. These trades can be carried out with players from around the world if the player is using the internet or through local communication with someone around them. Trainers won’t know what Pokémon they’ll get in exchange for their Pokémon until they actually receive it. 

A Nintendo Switch Online (paid) membership is required to participate in Link Trades and Link Battles using the internet. A membership is not needed for local communication use.

Choose a Pokémon Partner in the Pokémon TCG: Galar Collection

As Trainers await the highly anticipated release of the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield video games, they can also look forward to the new Pokémon TCG: Galar Collection, which includes one of three promo cards showcasing Grookey, Scorbunny, or Sobble. In addition, the box includes a matching collector’s pin, one oversize card featuring the Legendary Pokémon Zacian or Zamazenta as a brand-new Pokémon V, and four Pokémon TCG booster packs. 

This special preview of the Sword & Shield Series will be Trainers’ first opportunity to grab cards from the forthcoming expansion. The Galar Collection will be available on November 15 in celebration of the global release of Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield.

Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield will be launching on November 15, 2019, exclusively on the Nintendo Switch.